Combination plumb bob and chalk line reel



March 30, 1954 c, R 'f 2,673,398

COMBINATION PLUMB BOB AND CHALK LINE REEL Filed May 11, 1955 INVENTORI v j/ fidzm/ drl' Patented Mar. 30, 1954 UNITED .S TATES T OF-F COMBINATION *PLURIBBOB AND CHALK ILINE REEL Harvey C. Baumgart, Gic'ero Ill. Application May "1'1, l953fserialf'N 0. 354,212

4"Claims.

My invention relates to combination plumb bob and chalk line means.

An objectof the present invention is toprovide-a hollow plumb bob and chalk line having a -reelabout which the plumb "line is wound and in which the chalk line serves a dual function, namely, to suspend the plumb bob in plumb *relationshipand furthento afford or toprovide a chalk line for markin distances and guide lines in architectural and building work.

A still further object of my invention is toprovide in a device of the aforementioned character vertical spool means ifor'reeling up and paying out the line wound thereupon which is inconeentric and'longitudinal relationship to theplumb bob structure.

still further object of my invention is to provide a device of the aforementioned. character, which accommodates powdered chalk within its confines, and which is readily applicable to the line reeled up and confined therewithin whenthe said plumb bobis inverted while'payingout the line reeled up on'the reel.

A still further object of m-y-invention is to provide reel means which is readily removable'from assembly for repair: or other purposes when that would be necessary without damaging the line reeved through a guide bushing in .the wall-of the plumb bob structure.

A still further object of my invention is to provide .a device of the aforementioned character which issimplein elemental construction, and also of suchsimple arrangement as to warrant economical manufacture thereof in quantity production.

Other objects and ancillary advantages inherent 'in my invention will become apparent from the ensuing description when read in the light of the accompanying drawings.

To the attainment of the foregoing objects, the improvement resides in the construction, combination :and operative association of parts or elements, one satisfactory embodiment of which is disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which;

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of my inventionshowing how it may be hung to operate for plumb indication.

'Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectio-nl view taken, substantially, on'the median line of Fig. 1.

Fig. '3 is an exploded view showing the elemental structures coordinated to function as a combination plumb bob and chalk line unit.

Fig. 4 isa reduced cross-sectional view similar toFig.'2 showing'how the unit is inverted when it 2 isdesired to coat the chalk line=with chalkaso as to be able to utilize it in the manner illustrated in Fig. "5, which 'illustrates a chalk line held under tension and snapped in order to indicate a working-guide line or demarcation.

Fig. "6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the guide bushing for protecting the cord from wear'in its operation of being reeled onto, and unreeled from,-the spool or reel holder.

Referring to the various views .my invention is generally designated 1 and'consists of a-shelllike body 8 having a cavity therein for holding a quantity-of powdered chalk designated 26, and also for storing the reel structure "which will be hereinafter more clearly elucidated and described.

Th top portion of the'top openingof'th'ebody 8 is provided with a bore in which the plug *9 having a shoulder 10 is secured by means-of set screws l. The plug 9 isalsospotted by a drill at 34 to receive the conical tips ofthe set screws 1 I and'provided with a bore I'Z'in which ishoused the'spindle 13 of the reel -36, which has an enlarged spool end 31 and a smaller spool end "24 providedwith sifting holes 25 to permitthe powdered chalk 26 to sift therethrough when the plumb bob is inverted as illustrated in Fig. '4. It should'be noted that'the spool end 24 is of a smaller diameter so as to readily clear the bushing'22 as illustrated in Fig. '3, whenever it'is desired 'to dismantle the unit for repairs or replacement of chalk lines.

The reel structure is utilized for holding one endoftheline 2| which'is knotted at '20,'by reeving it throughthe bore l9 in'the spindle 1.3 and winding the line in coils as illustrated and designated'23. The freeend o-f'theline 21 having tied thereto a hanging hook '21 which is .usedasillustrated in'Fig. 5 for holding one end .of th chalk line to be snapped while the plumb 'bob is held in the other hand. Since the line 2! may wear from time to time in being reeved through .an opening in the tubular body 8, a protective guide bushing made, preferably, .of rubber -.or plastic material designated 22 is providedsoas to prevent'the cord 21 from fraying or ravelling.

Th spindle 1.3 is provided with a square section [6 to which is secured the knurled rotating knob I"! for winding up-the line in coils 23 about theaxle l3, the same being held in assembly by means of the. plumb bob hook which isprovided with a flange l5 anda threaded portion 18; the knurled element l 1 being provided with asquare holel3'8 .which willfit der [6 of the axle l3.

the square shank or shoulw.

The plumb bob body 8 tapers to a point 30, which is the indicating point whenever th plumb bob is hung for plumb indication as indicated in Fig. 1, namely, the cord 2| is pulled out to form a loose loop 28 as indicated in full lines and the plumb out to form a loose loop 28 as indicated in full lines and the plumb bob hook I4 is engaged by a knot 29 so that the plumb bob may be suspended by the hanging hook 21. To utilize the chalk line reference is tob had to Fig. where it can be seen that the hanging hook 21 is caused to engage a part of the surface on which a line is to be demarcated or scribed. The line 2| is then tensioned in the proper position while the plumb bob 1 is held in inverted position so as to allow the chalk to cover the line 2| and it is held in one hand 32 and tensioned against the engagement of the hanging hook 21 on the wall 3 i. The fingers of the other hand 33 then engage the line 2i to tension the same to allow it to spring back or snap back, resulting in the demarcation or indication or guide line 35 as shown and illustrated in Fi 5.

Thus it can be seen that the device is susceptible of two useful purposes, namely, that it may be used as a conventional plub bob is utilized, using the chalk line as a hanging support therefor, so as to indicate plumb alignment and position. I'he chalk line may also be used for another purpose, namely, that of imprinting guide lines 35 as illustrated in Fig. 5.

It is to be stressed that my invention has a line which serves a dual function, namely, that of a chalk line and also as a. support or hanging line for the plumb bob structure. It will be noted that in my device I have provided a reel which is in longitudinal and concentric arrangement with respect to the interior confines of the plumb bob body 8, thus a considerable length of line could be stored within the plumb bob without making it unduly large. The reel provided therefor is also made so that it can be readily removed from the interior without damaging the line, and the guide bushing through which the line will be i reeved many times, will prevent the line from fraying in View of the fact that I have provided protection in the form of a smooth bushing therefor.

To dismantle the unit all that is necessary is to remove the two set screws H which will permit removal of the plug 9 and permit the device to be dismantled, subsequently to loosening the threaded portion I8 of the plumb bob hook it which unites the entire structure in assembly. To reassemble the same all that is needed to be done is to rethread the stem l8 into its corresponding threaded opening 39 and secure the plug 9 in the body 8 and then retain it firmly by means of the set screws H which are provided to hold the same in assembly.

, Thus it can be seen that when the plumb bob is used normally the line will not be covered with powdered chalk 26, whereas when used as a chalk line, the plumb bob will be inverted and not in the normal position in order to coat the line 2i with a suitable quantity of chalk When paying out the line. By rotation of element I? the line is retrieved and wound upon the reel to store it within the confines of the body's.

' I believe I have herein illustrated and described the nature of my invention, and expounded, in expository form, the teachings so that those familiar with the art will be able to practice my invention. Inasmuch as the same is susceptible which is tautly stretched of many modifications, alterations, and im rovements, I hereby reserve the right to any improvements, alterations and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of my invention and disclosure, also the right to any improvements impliably embraced in the accompanying illustrations depicting the generally suggested elemental structure of my invention, and also any modifications, improvements, or alterations, falling within the purview of the foregoing description; my invention to be limited only by the'subjoined claims.

Having thus described and revealed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Combination plumb bob and chalk-line reel means, comprising a hollow plumb bob body, a chalk-line reel mounted within the confines of the said plumb bob body and having its longitudinal axis concentrically positioned with reference to that of the said plumb bob body, the said chalk-line reel being provided with a spindle element having an end extension projecting beyond the said plumb bob body, a knurled rotating knob secured to the said end extension, a plumb bob hook element provided with a threaded extension securing removably the said knurled rotating knob to the said spindle, powdered chalk confined within the lower portion of the cavity of the said hollow plumb bob body, and a line wound upon the said chalk-line reel having its free end reeved through an opening in the said plumb bob body and adapted to furnish dual functions namely to suspend the plumb bob in normal operation and also as a chalk-line when the said plumb bob is inverted.

2. Combination plumb bob'and chalk-line reel means, comprising a hollow plumb bob body, a chalk-line reel mounted within the confines of the said plumb bob body and having its longitudinal axis concentrically positioned with reference to that of the said plumb bob body,-the said chalk-line reel being provided with a spindle element having an end extension projecting beyond the said plumb bob body, a knurled rotating knob secured to the said end extension, a plumb bob hook element provided with a threaded extension securing removably the said knurled rotating.

knob to the said spindle, powdered chalk confined within the lower portion of the cavity of the said hollow plum bob body, and a line woundupon' the said chalk-line reel having its free end reeved through an opening in the said plumb bob body and adapted to furnish dual functions namely to suspend the plumb bob in normal operation and also as a chalk-line when the said plumb bob is inverted, the said chalk-line reel having its lower spool end of a smaller diameter than that of the bore in the said plumb bob body to prevent damage to the chalk-line when removing the said chalk-line reel.

3. Combinationplumb bob and chalk-line reel means, comprising a hollow plumb bob body, a chalk-line reel mounted within the confines or" the said plumb bob body and having its longitudinal axis concentrically positioned with reference to that of the said plumb bob body, the said chalk-line reel being provided with a spindle element having an end extension projecting beyond the said plumb bob body, a knurled rotating knob secured to the said end extension, a plumb bob hook element provided with a threaded extension securing removably the said knurled rotating knob to the said spindle, powdered chalk confined within the lower portion of the cavity of the said hollow plumb bob body, a line wound upon the of the said hollow plumb bob body, a line wound said cha k-line reel having its free end reeved upon the said chalk-line reel having its free end through an opening in the said plumb bob body reeved through an opening in the said plumb bob and adapted to furnish dual functions namely to body and adapted to furnish dual functions suspend the plumb bob in normal operation and namely to suspend the plumb bob in normal opalso as a chalk-line when the said plumb bob is eration and also as a chalk-line when the said inverted, a plug element provided with a shoulplumb bob is inverted, the said chalk-line reel der secured to the top of the said hollow plumb having its lower spool end of a smaller diameter bob body and further provided with a bore servthan that of the bore in the said plumb bob body ing as a bearing for the said end extension, set to prevent damage to the chalk-line when removscrews securing removably the said plug element ing the said chalk-line reel, a plug element proto the said holow plumb bob body, and a resilient vided with a shoulder secured to the top of said bushing secured to the said opening to prevent hollow plumb bob body and further provided with fraying of the said chalk line when in use. a bore serving as a bearing for the said end ex- 4. Combination plumb bob and chalk-line reel tension, set screws securing removably the said means, comprising a hollow plumb bob body, a plug element to the said hollow plumb bob body, chalk-line reel mounted within the confines of and a resilient bushing secured to the said openthe said plumb bob body and having its longitudiing to prevent fraying of the said chalk line when nal axis concentrically positioned with reference in use.

to that of the said plumb bob body, the said HARVEY C. BAUMGART. cha'k-line reel being provided with a spindle element having an end extension projecting be- References cued m the me of this patent yond the said plumb bob body, a knurled rotating UNITED STATES PATENTS knob secured to th said end extension, a plumb Number Name Date bob hook element provided with a threaded eX- 916,603 schmidtke Man 30, 1909 tension securing removably the said knurled ro- 1,375,473 spaeth et a1 Sept-h 6, 1932 tating knob to the said spindle, powdered chalk 2,602,605 Shining July 8, 1952 confined within the lower portion of the cavity 

